A Positive Outlook for the School Year: Addressing Anxiety and Bullying as a Mom

Hi, I’m Aghogho Oluese, a mom of two toddlers, a science teacher, and the owner of Baby-led Weaning for Busy Moms. As a parent, I understand the challenges that can come with supporting your child through the ups and downs of a new school year, especially when anxiety and bullying are concerns. Having a positive outlook can make all the difference—not just for your child, but for you as well. Here are some tips I’ve found helpful in creating a supportive environment for my little ones, and I hope they will help you, too.

1. Provide Structure

Structure is like a comforting blanket for kids, especially those with anxiety. No matter how young or old your child is, having a clear routine can reduce uncertainty and help them feel more in control of their day. In our home, I’ve found that establishing a consistent schedule, like set bedtimes and wakeup routines, creates a calm, predictable environment.

Even simple routines like knowing what to expect at breakfast, the time they leave for school, and even a wind-down ritual at night can help ease their stress. This helps them enter the school day with confidence and clarity.

Giving them tools they can use to calm themselves down is both beneficial and empowering.One of those tools should be a safe place for the child to go when they’re feeling stressed.This could be a “calming corner” created with the help of the parent in the child’s classroom where they can do things like listen to music on their headphones, do some mindful breathing or just remove themselves from the stressful situation for a bit.

I know of many schools that have implemented a calming corner into their classroom. My children’s school has that in each classroom as well. It really helps the kids refocus after a few minutes.

As well, if it’s an older kid who struggles with anxiety, they can utilize the help of their school counselor. They can talk about their stressors and learn some coping skills with the help of the counselor. Some counselors may also have a calming corner in their office where a student can do their class work in silence.

2. Implement a Mindfulness Routine

Mindfulness has been a game-changer in our household. Teaching mindfulness to your child is one of the best gifts you can give them. It helps manage stress, anxiety, and even emotions that could lead to outbursts.

Our mornings can be chaotic, but we’ve incorporated a quick mindfulness practice into our routine. Even if you’re pressed for time, you can try it while driving your child to school. I ask my kids to name five things they’re grateful for or what they’re most excited about for the day. It shifts their focus and gives them a positive mindset to start their day.

If you have a bit more time, try a short 5-10 minute yoga or meditation session with your child. We do mindfulness meditation once a day, and it’s been instrumental in helping my kids manage their emotions. My oldest even reminds his younger sibling to take “alligator breaths” when things get overwhelming—it’s one of the most adorable things to witness!

3. Teach Your Child to Use Words to Express Their Feelings

Kids often act out when they don’t feel heard or understood. Teaching your child to use “I statements” can be empowering. It gives them a healthy way to express their emotions instead of resorting to behavior like hitting or having meltdowns.

With my toddlers, I’ve taught them to use simple words to describe their feelings, such as frustrated, angry, or sad. Even at 12 months old, we started this practice, and over time, they’ve gotten better at telling me how they feel. It’s such an important tool for managing conflicts and understanding their needs.

4. Tackling Bullying Head-On

Bullying is a heartbreaking issue that no parent wants their child to face. If your child is dealing with bullying, teaching them to communicate how it makes them feel is a good start. Encourage them to use words to describe their experience, and always validate their feelings. Let them know they are not alone, and together, you can take steps to address it with the school.

Remind your child that they have support and that it’s okay to ask for help, whether from a teacher or from you. When it comes to bullying, a parent needs to be proactive to nip it in the bud. The child being bullied should also be empowered to stand up for themselves. This means they need to be involved in every step of stopping the bully.

A parent of a child being bullied should go with their child to the principal’s office and file a report given that most schools have an anti-bullying policy and they take it very seriously.

Creating an open dialogue with your children, teachers and administrators, ensures they won’t feel isolated or helpless in these situations.

Final Thoughts

The new school year can bring its fair share of anxieties, but with the right tools, we can help our children navigate these challenges. By providing structure, practicing mindfulness, encouraging open communication, and addressing bullying directly, we can foster resilience and positivity in our kids.

Here’s to a school year filled with growth, confidence, and emotional well-being for both you and your little ones!

Name - Aghogho Oluese

Title - Science teacher, Mom of toddlers, founder of Baby-led Weaning for Busy Moms

Website - https://blwforbusymoms.com